The most spectacular libraries in the world

John McMurtrie

Published 12:44 pm, Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Photo: James Willis, Snøhetta

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The enormous Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt, was inaugurated in 2002 near the site of the original Library of Alexandria, built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC. The building was designed by the Norwegian firm Snøhetta, which is handling the expansion of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. less

The enormous Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt, was inaugurated in 2002 near the site of the original Library of Alexandria, built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC. The building was designed by ... more

Photo: James Willis, Snøhetta

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South Africa's Sandton Library, on Nelson Mandela Square, is in upscale Sandton City.

South Africa's Sandton Library, on Nelson Mandela Square, is in upscale Sandton City.

Photo: View Pictures, UIG Via Getty Images

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LiYuan Library, built in 2011, is in the town of Huairou, outside of Beijing. Twigs from the area cover the building's facade, helping it blend into its natural setting.

LiYuan Library, built in 2011, is in the town of Huairou, outside of Beijing. Twigs from the area cover the building's facade, helping it blend into its natural setting.

Photo: Gu Xiaoguang, Getty Images/Flickr RM

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The vast National Library of China, in Beijing, holds more than 30 million items.

The vast National Library of China, in Beijing, holds more than 30 million items.

Photo: AFP, Getty Images

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Lined with carved teak, the Connemara Public Library, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dates to 1896.

Lined with carved teak, the Connemara Public Library, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dates to 1896.

Photo: The India Today Group, Getty Images

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Tokyo's Tama Art University Library (2007) is supported by rows of elegant colonnades.

Tokyo's Tama Art University Library (2007) is supported by rows of elegant colonnades.

Photo: View Pictures, UIG Via Getty Images

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The circular library of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, opened in 2005.

The circular library of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, opened in 2005.

Photo: Junko Kimura, Getty Images

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Bookshelves are the building blocks for Tokyo's Musashino Art University Library (2010).

Bookshelves are the building blocks for Tokyo's Musashino Art University Library (2010).

Photo: View Pictures, UIG Via Getty Images

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The architects of Japan's Kanazawa Umimirai Library (2011) call their building the "cake box." They told ArchDaily that they wanted to create "a single quiet and tranquil room that resembles a forest, filled with soft light and a feeling of openness reminiscent of the outdoors." less

The architects of Japan's Kanazawa Umimirai Library (2011) call their building the "cake box." They told ArchDaily that they wanted to create "a single quiet and tranquil room that resembles a forest, filled ... more

Photo: Hirorinmasa

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The Tripitaka Koreana collection, in South Gyeongsang province, in South Korea,
houses 80,000 woodblocks carved between 1237 and 1248. UNESCO has described the collection as one of the "most important and most complete corpus of Buddhist doctrinal texts in the world." less

The Tripitaka Koreana collection, in South Gyeongsang province, in South Korea,
houses 80,000 woodblocks carved between 1237 and 1248. UNESCO has described the collection as one of the "most important and most ... more

Photo: Per-Andre Hoffmann, Getty Images/Picture Press RM

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The State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, celebrated the 100th anniversary of its domed La Trobe Reading Room last year.

The State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, celebrated the 100th anniversary of its domed La Trobe Reading Room last year.

Photo: David Iliff

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The Mitchell Library Reading Room is the centerpiece of the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

The Mitchell Library Reading Room is the centerpiece of the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

Photo: Jason7825

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The late Baroque library of the Admont Benedictine Monastery, in Austria, was completed in 1776. Its builder, Josef Hueber, said, "As with the mind, light should also fill the room."

The late Baroque library of the Admont Benedictine Monastery, in Austria, was completed in 1776. Its builder, Josef Hueber, said, "As with the mind, light should also fill the room."

Photo: Imagno, Getty Images

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Carved-wood bookcases and a ceiling fresco dominate the Baroque library of the St. Florian Monastery, in Austria.

Carved-wood bookcases and a ceiling fresco dominate the Baroque library of the St. Florian Monastery, in Austria.

Photo: Wolfgang Grilz, Flickr Vision

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Marble statues and ceiling frescoes adorn the Baroque State Hall of the Austrian National Library in Vienna, completed in 1730.

Marble statues and ceiling frescoes adorn the Baroque State Hall of the Austrian National Library in Vienna, completed in 1730.

Photo: Imagno, Getty Images

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The Nottebohm Room at the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library in Antwerp, Belgium, opened in 1936.

The Nottebohm Room at the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library in Antwerp, Belgium, opened in 1936.

Photo: Ans Brys

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Sarajevo celebrated the reopening of Bosnia's reconstructed National Library in May.

Sarajevo celebrated the reopening of Bosnia's reconstructed National Library in May.

Photo: Anadolu Agency, Getty Images

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Britain's Library of Birmingham, opened in 2013, is Europe's largest public library.

Britain's Library of Birmingham, opened in 2013, is Europe's largest public library.

Photo: Christopher Furlong, Getty Images

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The domed Reading Room of the British Museum Library, completed in 1857 and restored in 2000, was inspired by Rome's Pantheon.

The domed Reading Room of the British Museum Library, completed in 1857 and restored in 2000, was inspired by Rome's Pantheon.

Renovation work at the Richelieu Library of the Bibliothèque nationale de France began in 2010 and is expected to be completed in 2019.

Renovation work at the Richelieu Library of the Bibliothèque nationale de France began in 2010 and is expected to be completed in 2019.

Photo: Poulpy

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Designed in the mid-19th century by Henri Labrouste, the Sainte-Geneviève Library in Paris is famous for its early use of iron framing. The building inspired the design of the Boston Public Library.

Designed in the mid-19th century by Henri Labrouste, the Sainte-Geneviève Library in Paris is famous for its early use of iron framing. The building inspired the design of the Boston Public Library.

Photo: Pierre Barbier, Roger Viollet/Getty Images

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Because of its shape, the Philological Library of Freie Universität Berlin has been dubbed "the Berlin Brain." Norman Foster's building opened in 2005.

Because of its shape, the Philological Library of Freie Universität Berlin has been dubbed "the Berlin Brain." Norman Foster's building opened in 2005.

Photo: Ulrich Baumgarten, Via Getty Images

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Brandenburg Technical University's library, in Cottbus, Germany, sets "new benchmarks for access to multimedia worlds of knowledge," said the jury that selected it as the nation's library of the year in 2006. The library's architects, Switzerland's Herzog & de Meuron, also designed the new de Young Museum in San Francisco. less

Brandenburg Technical University's library, in Cottbus, Germany, sets "new benchmarks for access to multimedia worlds of knowledge," said the jury that selected it as the nation's library of the year in 2006. ... more

Photo: UniversalImagesGroup, UIG Via Getty Images

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The Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Center, at the Humboldt University of Berlin, opened in 2009. The library was named in honor of the Brothers Grimm, who, in addition to collecting fairy tales, worked on a monumental German dictionary that they were not able to complete. less

The Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Center, at the Humboldt University of Berlin, opened in 2009. The library was named in honor of the Brothers Grimm, who, in addition to collecting fairy tales, worked on a monumental ... more

Photo: Axel Schmidt, AFP/Getty Images

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The Braunschweig University of Art library, in Germany, was completed in 2002.

The Braunschweig University of Art library, in Germany, was completed in 2002.

Photo: M.Prinke

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The cube-shaped City Library of Stuttgart, Germany, opened in 2011.

The cube-shaped City Library of Stuttgart, Germany, opened in 2011.

Photo: Ursula Sander, FlickrVision

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The very handsome Long Room of Trinity College's Old Library, in Dublin, Ireland, holds roughly 200,000 books.

The very handsome Long Room of Trinity College's Old Library, in Dublin, Ireland, holds roughly 200,000 books.

Photo: DEA / W. Buss, De Agostini/Getty Images

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The Braidense Library (1786) in Milan, Italy, was once used by the Jesuits as a study room.

The Braidense Library (1786) in Milan, Italy, was once used by the Jesuits as a study room.

Photo: Massimo Di Nonno, Getty Images

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The Rijksmuseum Research Library, in Amsterdam, was established in 1885.

The Rijksmuseum Research Library, in Amsterdam, was established in 1885.

Photo: JTB Photo, UIG Via Getty Images

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Parliament proceedings are stored in the Old Library (Handelingenkamer) of the Dutch House of Representatives.

Parliament proceedings are stored in the Old Library (Handelingenkamer) of the Dutch House of Representatives.

The ornate Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra General Library, in Portugal, was completed in 1728. Bats in the library feast on insects that would otherwise eat away at the books.

The ornate Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra General Library, in Portugal, was completed in 1728. Bats in the library feast on insects that would otherwise eat away at the books.

Photo: DEA / G. Dagli Orti, De Agostini/Getty Images

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Like the Biblioteca Joanina, the books of Portugal's Mafra Palace Library are protected by insect-eating bats. A papal bull from 1745 forbids anyone “in any time or in any way, to take, remove or lend from the Library without the permission of the Portuguese King, any printed books or manuscripts inhere stored." The punishment? Excommunication. less

Like the Biblioteca Joanina, the books of Portugal's Mafra Palace Library are protected by insect-eating bats. A papal bull from 1745 forbids anyone “in any time or in any way, to take, remove or lend from ... more

Photo: DEA / S. Vannini, De Agostini/Getty Images

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The Royal Library of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, near Madrid, dates to 1592.

The Royal Library of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, near Madrid, dates to 1592.

Photo: DEA / M. Carrieri, De Agostini/Getty Images

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The Stockholm Public Library, originally designed to have a dome, opened in 1928.

The Stockholm Public Library, originally designed to have a dome, opened in 1928.

Photo: UniversalImagesGroup, UIG Via Getty Images

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Switzerland's Rococo Abbey Library of St. Gall is one of the world's oldest libraries, with manuscripts that date as far back as the 8th century.

Switzerland's Rococo Abbey Library of St. Gall is one of the world's oldest libraries, with manuscripts that date as far back as the 8th century.

Photo: DEA / S. Vannini, De Agostini/Getty Images

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The Vatican Apostolic Library, inside the Vatican Palace, dates back to the 15th century.

The Vatican Apostolic Library, inside the Vatican Palace, dates back to the 15th century.

Photo: Sura Ark, Flickr Vision

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The Library of Parliament, opened in 1876 in Ottowa, Canada, contains thousands of carvings of mythical beasts, masks and flowers.

The Library of Parliament, opened in 1876 in Ottowa, Canada, contains thousands of carvings of mythical beasts, masks and flowers.

Photo: Matt Champlin, Getty Images/Flickr RM

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The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, at the University of Toronto, is the largest library of its kind in Canada.

The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, at the University of Toronto, is the largest library of its kind in Canada.

Photo: Jphillips23

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The circular Vancouver Public Library (1995) evokes the Roman Colosseum.

The circular Vancouver Public Library (1995) evokes the Roman Colosseum.

Photo: Alex Ramon

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Opened in 1878, Baltimore's George Peabody Library uses iron throughout to create a lofty space topped by a vaulted ceiling.

Opened in 1878, Baltimore's George Peabody Library uses iron throughout to create a lofty space topped by a vaulted ceiling.

Photo: Matthew Petroff

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The Boston Public Library was the nation's first publicly supported municipal library, established in 1848. Its main branch, the McKim Building, opened in 1895.

The Boston Public Library was the nation's first publicly supported municipal library, established in 1848. Its main branch, the McKim Building, opened in 1895.

Photo: UniversalImagesGroup, UIG Via Getty Images

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One of the oldest independent libraries in the nation, the Boston Athenæum was founded in 1807. Its present home, opened in 1849, is a National Historic Landmark.

One of the oldest independent libraries in the nation, the Boston Athenæum was founded in 1807. Its present home, opened in 1849, is a National Historic Landmark.

Photo: Megan Manton, Boston Athenæum

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Built in 1926, Los Angeles' Central Library showcases a mix of styles, from ancient Egyptian and Roman to Spanish Colonial.

Built in 1926, Los Angeles' Central Library showcases a mix of styles, from ancient Egyptian and Roman to Spanish Colonial.

Photo: Charley Gallay

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The majestic main reading room of the New York Public Library, opened in 1911, is roughly the length of two city blocks.

The majestic main reading room of the New York Public Library, opened in 1911, is roughly the length of two city blocks.

Photo: Andreas Schott, Flickr Vision

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The exquisite Morgan Library & Museum in New York (built between 1902 and 1906 as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan) houses rare books and manuscripts among its holdings.

The exquisite Morgan Library & Museum in New York (built between 1902 and 1906 as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan) houses rare books and manuscripts among its holdings.

Photo: Graham Haber

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The James B. Hunt Jr. Library, opened in 2013 at North Carolina State University, features the latest technological advances, including an automated book delivery system. The building was conceived by Snøhetta, the firm that
designed Bibliotheca Alexandrina. less

The James B. Hunt Jr. Library, opened in 2013 at North Carolina State University, features the latest technological advances, including an automated book delivery system. The building was conceived by ... more

Photo: Jeff Goldberg/Esto

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The serene Class of 1945 Library at Phillips Exeter Academy, in Exeter, N.H., designed by Louis I. Kahn, was completed in 1971. Robert N. Shapiro, chair of the Friends of the Academy Library, described it as "a focus of the community and of the life of the mind at the school, where one may linger and ponder rather than simply absorb information." less

The serene Class of 1945 Library at Phillips Exeter Academy, in Exeter, N.H., designed by Louis I. Kahn, was completed in 1971. Robert N. Shapiro, chair of the Friends of the Academy Library, described it as "a ... more

Photo: Carol M. Highsmith

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The robust Mechanics' Institute Library, in San Francisco's Financial District, opened in 1910.

The robust Mechanics' Institute Library, in San Francisco's Financial District, opened in 1910.

Photo: John McMurtrie, The Chronicle

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The Seattle Public Library's Central Library opened in 2004. Writing in The New Yorker, critic Paul Goldberger called it "the most important new library to be built in a generation, and the most exhilarating."

The Seattle Public Library's Central Library opened in 2004. Writing in The New Yorker, critic Paul Goldberger called it "the most important new library to be built in a generation, and the most exhilarating."

Photo: Gabriel Bouys, AFP/Getty Images

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The Suzzallo Library at the University of Washington in Seattle is graced with a cathedral ceiling and stained glass windows. Henry Suzzallo, the university's former president, likened universities to "cathedrals of learning." less

The Suzzallo Library at the University of Washington in Seattle is graced with a cathedral ceiling and stained glass windows. Henry Suzzallo, the university's former president, likened universities to ... more

Photo: Joe Mabel

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Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library (1963) is one of the largest rare book libraries in the world.

Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library (1963) is one of the largest rare book libraries in the world.

Photo: Beinecke Library, Associated Press

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The largest library in the world, the Library of Congress (1800) holds more than 158 million items.

The largest library in the world, the Library of Congress (1800) holds more than 158 million items.

Photo: Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images

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The stately National Library of Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, was founded in 1808.

The stately National Library of Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, was founded in 1808.

Photo: Christophe Simon, AFP/Getty Images

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The Real Gabinete Portugues de Lectura, in Rio de Janeiro, is seen here in a 2008 ceremony marking the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Portugal's royal family in Brazil.

The Real Gabinete Portugues de Lectura, in Rio de Janeiro, is seen here in a 2008 ceremony marking the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Portugal's royal family in Brazil.

This may be the digital age, but libraries are thriving around the world, as they have for centuries. Many spectacular landmarks, both public and private, continue to be built — or rebuilt. In May, Sarajevo's National Library was reopened two decades after the 118-year-old building — and its 2 million books and manuscripts — were destroyed by shelling in the Bosnian war.

The accompanying photo gallery showcases dozens of libraries. Some are ancient, several were built in the new millennium. Each is, as the poet Oliver Wendell Holmes declared in dedicating the Boston Public Library, a palace for the people.